Staples Advantage survey: Workers are more productive today than five years ago

The last word in productivity? This Fourth of July, Staples isn’t just stocking products that make workers more productive; it’s also carrying the George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Dome Grill. Photo included with a Staples press release.

The conclusion of a new survey from Staples Inc. may not come as a shock to a worker putting serious RPM’s on the boss’s hamster wheel --- more than 70 percent of both office workers and managers believe that workers are more productive today than they were five years ago.

Mobile technology and telecommuting are among the reasons why, according to the survey from Staples Inc., the Framingham company known for office supplies. The survey is from Staples Advantage, the company’s business-to-business division.

But there is room for improvement, Staples Advantage suggests. By investing in collaborative workspaces and the right technologies, an employer is likely to see productivity rise even more.

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And one area not to be overlooked is the breakroom, an essential element of the office ecosystem. By taking “healthy mental breaks,” employees return to the fray energized and determined not to shirk a task, Staples Advantage said.

Needless to say, the thoughtful reader won’t be surprised to learn that Staples claims to have all the products a boss could possibly want in the never-ending quest to gain maximum efficiency from the workforce.

Or as the company noted, “Staples makes it easy for businesses to create a productive environment with everything they need including technology, breakroom supplies, furniture, and office products.”

And that’s not all. Staples doesn’t just stock breakroom supplies these days; it can also help both bosses and employees shop more productively for the Fourth of July.

Yes, that’s right. A retailer mostly known for office supplies is also carrying items that can come in handy for a Fourth of July party. Those items include American flags, barbecue grills, and ketchup.

“Staples’ expanded assortment of products makes it easier than ever to stock up on summer celebration essentials,” Mike Edwards, an executive vice president for the company, said in a statement. “We’ve added thousands of new items, and shoppers can find everything from barbecue grills to picnic snacks to customized banners for reunions and gatherings. Customers who order through Staples.com can enjoy convenient, quick delivery, in most cases overnight.”